Queen hails photobombing toddler as a ‘natural’ in front of cameras

The Queen has hailed a photobombing toddler as a “natural” in front of the cameras, as he proved the unexpected star of the show at a royal visit.

Fitzwilliam Corrie-Salmon, the 23-month-old son of one of the owners of a Belfast bakery, took a shine to the cameras and television microphones that accompanied the Queen on her visit to Northern Ireland, posing in front of her.

“We have got a natural for the cameras,” the Queen said, watching him in amusement.

Asking how old he was and joking that he would be “kept in order” by others in the family business, she smiled indulgently as he posed.

The little boy had chosen a tuxedo as his outfit for the special occasion, as the Queen visited Knotts Bakery on Lisburn Road, Belfast, as part of an engagement to showcase local businesses.

His parents, William Corrie, co-owner of the bakery, and Zoe Salmon, a former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter, gave the Queen a tour of the shop, introducing them to staff and sending her home with a bag full of fruit loaf and iced madeira.

Mr Corrie said the Queen, who has grandchildren of her own, was “great” with his son, adding: “We’ve got quite the story for him when he’s older.”

The Queen said the King was “doing very well” at home despite missing out on the trip to Belfast. She said he was “very disappointed he couldn’t come” for what was originally intended to be a joint visit.

After the King was compelled to stay at home, she decided to continue with elements of her own programme for the working trip.

On Thursday, that began with a visit to Lisburn Road to see three family businesses: a butcher, a baker and a delicatessen.

She came away with bags full of local produce, promising she would take them home for the King – after enjoying a snack herself.

Responding to quips about men “not being the best patients”, the Queen said: “I try to keep him in order.”

“He’s very disappointed he can’t come,” she added.

At Coffey’s Butchers, which has been operating on the Lisburn Road since 1929, she met some of the three generations of the family who run it, remarking: “My gosh there are a lot of you!”

Inspecting the meat counter, she said: “My goodness me what a great selection. It’s wonderful, it’s all very tempting. It’s lovely to see you thriving.”

Exclaiming over a large bunch of flowers presented to her, the Queen accepted a bag full of Northern Irish specialities including vegetable rolls, beef sausages and Belfast pickle.

“I shall take these back to my husband, he will really make the most of them,” she said.

At the next shop, Arcadia, a delicatessen that has been part of the Lisburn Road since 1933, she was also given a selection of their charcuterie, cheese, and local meats.

Laura Graham-Brown, the owner, said the Queen had been particularly interested in the social aspect of the shop, which is seen as a link to the local community.

“We had a discussion about the impact of local independent retail in the context of loneliness and social interaction,” she said. “We know our customers and their families and lives. She was very interested in that.”

Outside the bakery, she was given an envelope of cards made for the King by the children of Fane Street Primary School, with 11-year-old Amaya handing them over to a smiling Queen.

A small crowd of a few dozen people had gathered to see the visiting member of the Royal family, despite the trip not being announced in advance.

The Queen spoke and shook hands with all of them, crossing the road to do so before departing for her next engagement.

Among them was Anne-Marie Wallace and her 12-year-old son Oscar Dalzell, who has a collection of 15 letters from members of the Royal family he brought in a folder to show her.

One recent letter, hand signed “with best wishes Camilla R”, thanks him for his latest letter and the “beautiful picture of a crown”.

The Queen told him it was “lovely to put a face to the name of a correspondent”, saying he writes “lovely letters”.

She also met Kelly Andrews, chief executive of Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid, who had hosted an engagement about domestic violence and human trafficking for a royal visit in 2020.

“I remember that visit well,” said the Queen. “How is it all going?”

Several members of the public told her they hoped the King was doing well, as he undergoes treatment for cancer.

Later in the day, the Queen attended an event to celebrate Northern Ireland’s literary tradition at Hillsborough Castle, the monarch’s official residence.

Hosted by The Queen’s Reading Room and entitled Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place, it featured some of the country’s most beautiful poetry being read out loud to a group of specially invited guests.

Before the event, the Queen met with Chris Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, the First Minister, and Emma Little-Pengelly, the DUP deputy First Minister.

It was the first time the Northern Irish leaders had met a member of the Royal family in their new roles.

Standing the castle’s Red Room, the Queen thanked Mr Heaton-Harris for flying over for the event.

She told Ms O’Neill: “Lovely to see you again. My husband sends you his very, very best wishes.”

“I send him our very best too,” she replied.

Before she left she was given a posy of spring flowers from the garden by  Claire Wood, the Hillsborough head gardener.

“Can we send these with our best wishes to The King. He so enjoys walking whenever he comes,” Ms Wood said.

“Thank you so much, that’s very kind. I will definitely take that back to him,” Camilla said.